Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the month “July, 2018”

The late Francis Schaeffer titled his now famous book on Western culture and a Christian apologetic, How Should We Then Live? In light of who we are and who we represent as Kingdom leaders, how should we live? How should we lead? Paul has much to say in answer to this question in his book, Ephesians.

In Ephesians 4:1-2, Paul states, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. The exhortation to live a certain lifestyle is couched in the heavenly calling that we have received as followers of Christ. He immediately follows this contextual reminder with an exhortation on ‘being,’ not doing. Note the character qualities listed as keys to being able to live out this calling lifestyle – humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance rooted in love. The ability to live and lead a life worthy of our calling flows out of Christlike character.

Paul continues the theme on how to live the Christian life in verses 17-19 of the same chapter – “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking…Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” The wasted (futile) life is one that gives itself to sensuality and temporal pleasure.

In the following chapter, Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul encourages us to, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. The mature Christian life will be marked by love in all areas. Like the love of God, it will the a sacrificial love that unconditionally accepts others.

He ends the qualities of this life we are to live with one final exhortation in Ephesians 5:8-10 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” He comes back full circle to the necessity of Christlike character in the Christlike life – goodness, righteousness, and truthfulness in all we say and do.

And now we come to the conclusion of the question we began with, “How to live a life pleasing to God?” In Ephesians 5:15-17 we read, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (NIV 1984)

May we live and lead in such a wise way, understanding the Lord’s will and seeking to please Him alone, that we hear Him say at the end of our life, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

The need for wisdom in leadership is a very easy case to make. Anyone who has led at just about any level knows the complexities of issues that you feel unprepared to handle. Before entering into the role, issues seemed so black and white and easily solved. But, once you sit in the seat of leader, suddenly those easy issues turn gray and the complexities of their reality push you accept that there are few ‘easily solved’ issues. Thus, Kingdom leaders find themselves praying for wisdom from the Lord.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV 1984)

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:15 (NIV 1984)

Paul contrasts the wisdom of man with the wisdom of God. Man’s wisdom is based upon experience and perhaps intuition and training. But, in comparison to God’s wisdom, it is foolishness. We are reminded to trust in the Lord, not our own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6). Now, note that it does not say to ignore your own understanding. But, just don’t lean upon it totally, for God’s ways are not man’s ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9).

God Himself, in the presence of His Spirit who indwells all believers, can give us His wisdom. “…But we have the mind of Christ,” we are told in 1 Corinthians 2:16. (NIV 1984) It is this wisdom from above that is needed today to solve the complex challenges of our generation.

God’s wisdom is given to all who ask. James reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NIV 1984)

So, are you in need of wisdom in the issues or decisions that you are facing today? Why not stop right now and ask God for the wisdom He has promised you?

Listen carefully to His voice within you and to His wisdom He has placed around you in the form of team members or advisors. He will guide and direct you to see a way forward. It may not be the entire solution, but at least you will know the direction to head. And as you move forward, He will continue to give light for the next step afterwards.

Depend upon Him and you will see that He is faithful to do as He has promised!

Below are some general thoughts regarding the important function of leadership – managing the work of others.

Managing the work of others = supervision of their work

Leading people in mission and supervision of their work are essential – “two wings on same plane” – we may have strengths in one or the other; good leaders must be able to manage some level of detail/operations; good managers must be able to lead people to accomplish agreed upon outcomes

Managing the work of others (not managing the people) includes:

Organizational competency, legal aspects, safe and healthy workers, awareness of implications of being an employee – i.e. policies are for individual and organizational protection

Emphasize that workers are a part of something larger than themselves, “going rogue” is not wise or helpful when resources are available to inform, help, and protect workers

Strategic Supervision is for Ensuring Execution

Below are some very practical aspects of how to supervise others:

Be proactive, not just reactive in your supervision!

Thinking ahead – scenario planning / What will we do if….?

Hope for the best and plan for the worst!

Be both Macro- and Micro-focused

Big picture, systems thinking, but also attentive to an appropriate level of detail

Provide oversight of the person and the task

Attention to the ‘leadership wake’ of people and task

Success is thriving people and mission accomplished

Ensure the execution and the completion of a task – stewardship and ownership of the task

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:23 (NIV 1984)

In Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthian church, he addresses the issue of factions forming around certain leaders – particularly Apollos and himself. He defuses the argument with the statement that all are nothing more than God’s servants (doulos) and fellow workers (synergos) with God. And he continues that it was truly God who brought about the spiritual growth in their lives.

Paul’s perspective on the work was what Jesus taught in Matthew 11 – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV 1984)

Paul was very clear that he was yoked together with Jesus as he sought to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. And yet, while he was laboring as an “expert builder,” he was under no illusion as to who was truly bringing about the results. It was Christ!

Paul uses that same word picture of a “fellow worker” (co-laborer) in his second letter to the Corinthian church. But this time the term is used to refer to Titus, who had recently met Paul to report the response to his first letter.

It appears that Paul had entrusted the delivery of the first letter to Titus with that plan that they would meet in Troas to debrief on the response (see 2 Corinthians 2:12ff). But, for some reason Titus was delayed, and therefore Paul moved on to northern Greece and it was there that they met and Paul sent his second letter, again carried by Titus.

In describing his relationship to Titus, he says that Titus is a “partner and fellow worker.” Titus had previously joined Paul from Antioch to meet with the Twelve in the Jerusalem to discuss the essence of the gospel message that Paul was teaching among the Gentiles (see Galatians 2). Titus (probably a Gentile believer), joined with Paul and Barnabas on the trip to Jerusalem as “exhibit A” of what a Gentile believer looked like. And Titus was later sent on special assignment to Crete by Paul to help establish the work after Paul had left behind a foundation for the spread of the gospel (see the book of Titus).

Paul acknowledges two partners in his work – Christ, first and foremost, and Titus, illustrative of his teammates like Apollos, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. Both are key to accomplishing the work. Christ the center of our work as Kingdom leaders and then the team whom God gives us to accomplish our calling.

Who are your ‘fellow workers’ or ‘co-laborers.’ Have you told the Lord recently how grateful you are for the privilege of being yoked to Him? And have you expressed to your co-laboring team (including your spouse) how appreciative you are for their hard work and sacrifices that they are making?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 (NIV 1984)

Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV 1984)

Perfection seems like such an impossible goal. How could Jesus or Paul set this before us as something to be pursued, much less attained? Are you kidding me? Come on – get real!

If we understand this goal of perfection as sinless perfection, then it truly is an unattainable pursuit. Though we are hopefully making progress daily in our battle against sin, we are under no illusion that we will attain sinlessness until we exit this body and live in heaven.

So, what is the aim here?

Paul helps bring some deeper understanding when he speaks of the goal of his ministry in Colossians 1:28. “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (NIV 1984) The word ‘perfect’ here actually means mature. Paul’s goal was to seek to bring all those he ministered to into a state of maturity in Christ.

Thus, when Jesus says we are to ‘be perfect,’ He is saying that we are to be mature in our relationship with our Father – especially in how we love others (see the context of Matthew 5). When Paul exhorts the Corinthians to ‘aim for perfection,’ he is encouraging their pursuit of maturity in Christ, not some sinless perfection.

Peter encourages us all, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3 (NIV 1984) We are to grow up in our salvation to maturity in Christ. This pursuit is grounded in developing intimacy with Jesus, especially as we spend time with Him in His Word.

Perfect maturity in Christ is attainable. It will be found over a life-long pursuit of Him – being filled with His Spirit and knowing Him and His ways as we know the Bible and apply it to our life and leadership. Maturity is not necessarily a factor of age, but rather a result of spending time with the Lord.